Category: Steve Hackett

Genesis and the BBC have been working together over the last few months on GENESIS: TOGETHER AND APART A feature length documentary on one of the most successful bands in rock history. From its first beginnings as a band of songwriters in the late 1960s to its final incarnation as a rock giant in the 1990s – via full-blown theatrical progressive rock in the mid-1970s and the subtler jazzy pop of the early 1980s – Genesis could perplex and enrage the die-hards, whilst exciting and exhilarating the newer disciples. Made with the full co-operation of Genesis, the film reunites all original members of the band together – Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford – for...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#819 in the Series) is The Prog World Orchestra, A Proggy Christmas This is one of those releases you want to share with everyone in the season of sharing. Granted the older folks at the Holiday might not like it, more probable they don’t get it, but this easily the best Christmas release I have heard since Jon Anderson’s 3 Ships and that was more than 25 years ago. There are 10 things that set this apart from every other Holiday record you have heard before, and those are the ten songs that are contained here. Before you suggest this is in the spirit of the Trans Siberian Orchestra, and before I...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#725 in the Series) is Squackett, A Day Within a Life. This is a project that goes back to 2008 when longtime Yes bass player Chris Squire was planning another solo record. His first and only previous release was 1975’s Fish Out of Water, though he did another project with Yes part-timer Billy Sherwood, and a Christmas record Chris Squires Swiss Choir in which Steve Hackett was the other main half of the band. Hackett was the guitar virtuoso of Genesis who survived the Peter Gabriel departure to write and perform on two post-Gabriel records, one of which Wind and Wuthering is in my opinion his greatest work. He also has released...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#700 in the Series) is Genesis, Foxtrot One thing that we do here at Cool Album of the Day is endeavor to bring you something special for our milestone numbered posts. As you’ve just read, this piece represents entry number 700. So today we bring you an album that more than arguably could be considered the best progressive-rock album of all time. It contains a song that could also potentially be considered the best progressive rock song of all time. You already know the album is Foxtrot, and the song of course that I’m referring to is “Supper’s Ready.” Some may say that Genesis’ magnum opus should be considered The Lamb lies...

Talk of this team up has been out there for sometime, but now it’s official. Chris Squire of Yes and Steve Hackett once of Genesis have formed a band that will be called Squackett. Their debut album will be released on May 28th. A single will be released April 21st which is also Record Store Day. It will be released by Esoteric Antenna Records which is also the home to the next Todd Rundgren effort. Press Release: Esoteric Antenna are pleased to announce the release of the hugely anticipated album by SQUACKETT, the collaborative project between two legends of Progressive Rock, Chris Squire and Steve Hackett. With progressive rock (in its many forms) now seemingly more popular...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#574 in the Series) is Genesis, Wind and Wuthering “..And There Were Still Four.” That could have been the title for Wind and Wuthering when you look back at it. I’m of course referring to the fact that this was indeed, the last album with four of the historic Genesis lineup members. We know that Peter Gabriel left the band at the end of the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway tour. The next year saw the release of the first post-Gabriel album, A Trick of the Tail. That great release was followed up with Wind and Wuthering. Yes, like many of the band’s fans, we love the Gabriel era. My favorite will...

Progressive rock giant Steve Hackett returns with another stunning release Beyond the Shrouded Horizon. This highly anticipated album, due to be released on September 26th, through Inside Out/EMI Records, will be available in four formats: CD; Limited Edition 2 CD media book which including a bonus CD with 6 previously unreleased tracks; vinyl LP with gatefold sleeve (including the album as digital download) and digital album. The album will be the focus of Hackett’s Breaking Waves Tour and is sure to amaze and astound old and new fans alike, blasting them into Rock’s stratosphere. Hackett says: “My new album Beyond the Shrouded Horizon breaks free from its moorings in early autumn and sets sail through choppy riffs and sudden...

Today’s Cool Album Of the Day (#311 in the Series) is Genesis, Seconds Out. How much do I like this album? Well, if I could only take ten albums to a desert island, I might have to take two copies of this and then eight others. This was the album that made me fall in love with Genesis. I don’t know why I didn’t get into them earlier. After this was released I did go back and loved all the Gabriel era works. For some reason I missed it when it was happening. I remember seeing all those ads about them playing the Auditorium for three nights. I can kick myself now for not going. I guess I did...

Congratulations Genesis on today being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Your 1973 recording of Selling England by the Pound is Today’s Cool Album of the Day. Genesis is one of my favorite bands. Genesis IS my favorite live band. My seeing them at an “Invitation Only: Full Dress Rehearsal Show” for a hand full of people in 2007 will most likely never be topped as a music experience! ‘Selling England By The Pound was the penultimate album with Peter Gabriel as their costume wearing front man. He left the machinery two years later after recording and touring for The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Selling contains two of my favorite pieces. “The Cinema Show” and...